Pipe filter and closure assembly

ABSTRACT

A pipe filter and closure assembly comprises a support member in the form of an annular collar or sleeve. In use the collar is positioned wholly within the pipe at some distance from an open (upper) end of the pipe. A filter element in the form of a strainer is releasably mountable to the collar so as to inhibit the passage of solid material through the pipe, whilst allowing the passage of fluids (liquids and gases) therethrough. A closure member in the form of a plug in use is mountable inside the collar to be seated at the strainer. In use when the plug is in place, the flow of material through the pipe is blocked. The location of the assembly or part thereof arrangeable wholly within the pipe reduces the ease of access to and presents significant difficulties for an operator seeking to tamper with the assembly.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to plumbing, and morespecifically to apparatus for use with open pipes for inhibiting thepassage of objects including unwanted refuse therethrough. It will beconvenient to hereinafter describe this invention with reference to thisparticular application, however it is to be understood this is not to betaken as a limitation as to the scope of the invention.

BACKGROUND ART

Open pipes such as drains and the like are susceptible to the ingress ofunwanted material which can lead to blockages. The situation is ofparticular concern during the construction of areas containing the pipe.For example, during the installation of a shower recess or a floorcontaining a drain, construction materials tend to fall into the drain.The known closure devices for pipes and drains are easily tampered with,often leading to environmentally unsound disposal of waste materials.Another problem which can occur in drains is where they become blocked.In such cases, undesirable smells may be created as a result of theblockage which tend to escape via the drain hole opening.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the present invention provides a filter and/or closureassembly for use with a pipe, the assembly comprising:

-   -   a support member which is adapted in use for connection to and        location wholly within the pipe;    -   a filter element releasably mountable to the support member so        as to inhibit the passage of solid material through the pipe;        and    -   a closure member mountable to the support member or the filter        element for blocking the pipe.

In a second aspect the present invention provides a filter and/orclosure assembly for use with a pipe, the assembly comprising:

-   -   a support member which in use is operatively connectible to the        pipe;    -   a filter element releasably mountable to the support member so        as to inhibit the passage of solid material through the pipe;        and    -   a removable closure member mountable to the support member or        the filter element for blocking the pipe,        wherein the assembly is configured such that in use the filter        element and the closure member are located wholly within the        pipe.

When the term “blocking the pipe” is used it is to be understood thatthe closure member can block the pipe to the passage of materialstherethrough in cooperation with the support member, which protrudes atleast some radial distance into the pipe interior.

The invention defined in these aspects presents significant difficultiesto an operator seeking to tamper with the assembly by trying to open theclosure member in order to access the filter element. The location of atleast some of the components of the assembly wholly within the pipereduces the ease of access thereto.

Preferably the support member is adapted for connection around itsperiphery to the pipe interior, to be located remote from an end of thepipe. Preferably the support member is a collar. The collar may forexample be secured in position by adhering with glue, the use offasteners, welding or any other suitable technique. In another form thecollar may be releasably secured by catches or pins or similar.

Preferably the support member comprises first and second collar sectionsof different diameter and which are disposed in end-to-end adjoinmentwith one another. Preferably a support shoulder is formed at an innerwall of the adjoining collar sections, in use to support the filterelement.

Preferably the filter element comprises a perforated member and anannular peripheral wall, which can be of a unitary construction.Preferably the perforated member is a disc. In one preferable form thedisc is a mesh disc. Preferably the filter element includes a projectionat the centre of the disc, of a shape suitable for lifting and/orrotating the disc.

In an alternative arrangement, preferably the perforated member is abasket. Preferably the basket extends beyond the support member andprojects into the pipe.

Preferably the closure member is in the form of a plug which comprises adisc with a protrusion to aid the lifting and rotating of the disc and aperipheral wall depending from the disc. Preferably the protrusion isconfigured so as to prevent engagement thereof by hand for removaland/or rotation of the closure member.

Preferably sealing means are located at the periphery of the filterelement and/or at the periphery of the closure member. Preferably thesealing means are an O-ring seal, or the like. Any suitable seal sectionmay be provided, including other shapes of gasket or rings (eg. square,hollow or the like).

Preferably a first locking means is provided for releasably mounting thefilter element to the support member. Preferably the first locking meanscomprises one or more projections on an inner surface of the supportmember, each projection adapted to cooperate with a corresponding recessin an outer peripheral face of the filter element. Most preferably thecorresponding recess is a T-shaped slot. It will be appreciated that theprojections and grooves may be disposed on the opposite parts to thatdescribed above.

Preferably a second locking means is provided for releasably mountingthe closure member to the filter element. Preferably the second lockingmeans comprises on the closure member one or more projections on anoutward peripheral face, each projection adapted to cooperate with acorresponding recess in an inner peripheral face of the filter element.Most preferably the corresponding recess is an L-shaped slot. Again theprojections may be on the filter member and the recess/slot on theclosure member in an alternate arrangement.

In a third aspect the present invention provides a filter and/or closureassembly for use with a pipe, the assembly comprising:

-   -   a support member which is adapted in use for connection to and        location in the pipe;    -   a filter element releasably mountable to the support member so        as to inhibit the passage of solid material through the pipe;        and    -   a closure member adapted for blocking the pipe;        wherein the closure member is, defined by a first part of the        filter element and is moveable with respect to a second part of        the filter element between a closed position in which respective        holes in the first and second parts do not align to thereby        prevent the passage of fluid, and an open position in which the        holes are at least partly aligned to allow the passage of fluid        therethrough.

In a fourth aspect the present invention provides a filter and/orclosure assembly for use with a pipe, the assembly comprising:

-   -   a support member which is adapted in use for connection to and        location in the pipe;    -   a filter element releasably mountable to the support member so        as to inhibit the passage of solid material through the pipe;        and    -   a closure member adapted for blocking the pipe;        wherein the closure member is defined by the filter element when        mounted to the support member, the filter element and support        member being relatively moveable between a closed position in        which respective holes in the support member and the filter        element do not align to thereby prevent the passage of fluid,        and an open position in which the holes are at least partly        aligned to allow the passage of fluid therethrough.

In one form of the filter and/or closure assembly of the third or fourthaspects, the support member can be located wholly within the pipe inuse. In a further embodiment, the filter element can also be locatedwholly within the pipe in use. Such embodiments can present significantdifficulties to an operator seeking to tamper with the assembly andtrying to access the filter element. The location of at least some ofthe components of the assembly wholly within the pipe reduces the easeof access thereto.

Preferably the filter assembly of the third and fourth aspects is asotherwise defined in the first and second aspects.

In a fifth aspect the present invention provides a closure assembly foruse with a pipe, the assembly comprising:

-   -   a support member which is adapted in use for connection to and        location wholly within the pipe;    -   a closure member mountable to the support member for blocking        the pipe.

In a sixth aspect the present invention provides a closure assembly foruse with a pipe, the assembly comprising:

-   -   a support member which in use is operatively connectable to the        pipe; and    -   a closure member mountable to the support member for blocking        the pipe;        wherein the assembly is configured such that in use the support        member and the closure member are located wholly within the        pipe.

The invention defined in the fifth and sixth aspects presentssignificant difficulties to an operator seeking to tamper with theassembly and trying to access the closure member. The location of atleast some of the components of the assembly wholly within the pipereduces the ease of access thereto.

Preferably a filter element is releasably mountable to the supportmember so as to inhibit the passage of solid material through the pipe.

Preferably the filter assembly of the fifth and sixth aspects is asotherwise defined in the first and second aspects.

In a seventh aspect the present invention provides a closure member foruse with a closure assembly for a pipe, the closure member comprising abody, and a protrusion from the body or a recess in the body for aidingremoval and/or rotation of the body, the protrusion or recess beingconfigured so as to prevent engagement thereof by hand for removaland/or rotation of the body.

Such an arrangement ensures that unauthorised removal of the closuremember from the closure assembly by an operator is unlikely unless aspecialised tool is made available for this task which gives purchaseabout the protrusion or internal the recess.

Preferably a specialised tool is required for respective purchase aboutthe protrusion or insertion within the recess, in order to effectremoval and/or rotation of the body.

Preferably the closure member of the seventh aspect is as otherwisedefined in the first and second aspects.

In an eighth aspect the present invention provides a closure lockingarrangement for use with a closure assembly for a pipe, the lockingarrangement comprising first and second locking means which cooperate sothat as a closure member is rotated to disengage the first locking meansand release the closure member from a filter element, the second lockingmeans is caused to engage to prevent removal of the filter element froma support member.

Such an arrangement ensures that during removal of the closure memberthere is unlikely to be simultaneous and/or inadvertant removal of thefilter element from the support member.

Preferably the filter assembly and closure locking arrangement of theeighth aspect are as otherwise defined in the first and second aspects.

In a ninth aspect the present invention provides an assembly forpreventing the ingress of unwanted refuse into a pipe during aconstruction application in or at an area containing the pipe, theassembly comprising:

-   -   a support member which is adapted in use for connection to and        location in the pipe; and    -   a closure member mountable to the support member or the filter        element for blocking the pipe,        wherein, during the construction application in or at the area,        the closure member is arranged to prevent the ingress of the        unwanted refuse into the pipe, and wherein, after the        construction application is complete, the closure member is        completely removed from the assembly to open the pipe to fluid        flow therethrough via the assembly.

In one form the assembly of the ninth aspect can additionally comprise afilter element releasably mountable to the support member so as toinhibit the passage of solid material through the pipe.

Preferably the assembly of the ninth aspect is as otherwise defined inthe first and second aspects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of thepresent invention, preferred forms of the invention will now bedescribed, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 a shows a plan view of one embodiment of a support member formingpart of the apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 1 b shows a sectional side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG.1 a;

FIG. 2 shows an assembly drawing showing, in sectional view, how thesupport member of FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, the filter element of FIGS. 3 a, 3b and 3 c, and the closure member of FIGS. 4 a and 4 b fit together toform the assembly of the invention;

FIG. 3 a shows a plan view of one embodiment of a filter element formingpart of the apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 b shows a sectional side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG.3 a when viewed along line A-A;

FIG. 3 c shows a further sectional side elevation view of the embodimentof FIG. 3 a when viewed along line A-A;

FIG. 4 a shows a plan view of the closure member forming part ofapparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 b shows a sectional side elevation view of the closure member ofFIG. 4 a;

FIG. 5 a shows a plan view of one embodiment of a support member formingpart of the apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 b shows a sectional side elevation view of the support member ofFIG. 5 a;

FIG. 5 c shows a perspective partial view of the support member of FIG.5 a;

FIG. 6 a shows a plan view of one embodiment of a filter element formingpart of the apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 b shows a sectional side elevation view of the filter element ofFIG. 6 a;

FIG. 7 a shows a plan view of one embodiment of a closure member formingpart of the apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 b shows a sectional side elevation view of the closure member ofFIG. 7 a;

FIG. 8 shows an assembly drawing showing, in sectional view, how thesupport member of FIGS. 5 a, 5 b and 5 c, the filter element of FIGS. 6a and 6 b, and the closure member of FIGS. 7 a and 7 b fit together toform the assembly of the invention;

FIG. 9 shows an exploded assembly side elevational view of a furtherembodiment of a filter and/or closure assembly according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 shows a sectional side elevation view of the assembly of FIG. 9when fitted into a pipe;

FIG. 11 shows a sectional side elevation view of a further embodiment ofa filter and/or closure assembly according to the present invention, theassembly fitted into a pipe;

FIG. 12 shows a sectional side elevation view of a further embodiment ofa filter and/or closure assembly according to the present invention, theassembly fitted into a pipe;

FIG. 13 shows an exploded assembly side elevational view of a furtherembodiment of a filter and/or closure assembly according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 14 shows an exploded assembly side elevational view of a furtherembodiment of a filter and/or closure assembly according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 15 shows an exploded assembly side elevational view of a furtherembodiment of a filter and/or closure assembly according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 16 shows an exploded assembly side elevational view of a furtherembodiment of a filter and/or closure assembly according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 17 shows a detailed view of the closure member of FIGS. 13 and 14and a tool (not part of the invention) to effect rotational removal ofthe closure from the assembly;

FIG. 18 shows a side sectional view of one embodiment of a filter andclosure assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 19 shows a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 18 when the filterand closure is in the open position;

FIG. 20 shows a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 18 when the filterand closure is in the closed position.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b there is shown a supportmember of a pipe filter, and closure assembly generally shown as 10, thesupport member in the form of an annular collar 12 or sleeve having asloping upper lip 14 and six web flanges 16 which in use protrudeoutwardly from the collar 12. The lip 14 and webs 16 are arranged toabut the interior surface of a pipe (not shown). The upper lip 14 issloped at an angle of 45° so that debris flowing through the pipe andthe assembly 10 does not build up on the upper end of the collar 12. Inuse, the collar 12 is positioned wholly within the pipe at some distancefrom an open (upper) end of the pipe. In this preferred embodiment, thecollar 12 has four inwardly protruding support tabs 18 upon which afilter element in the form of a strainer 20 can be seated and supported.These tabs 18 prevent the strainer 20 from falling directly into thepipe.

In use, the collar 12 can be secured in position at the interior wall ofthe pipe by gluing, or by using fasteners, welding or any other suitabletechnique. In other preferred embodiments the collar 12 may bereleasably secured by catches or pins or similar.

A filter element in the form of a strainer 20 is releasably mountable tothe collar 12 so as to inhibit the passage of solid material through thepipe, whilst allowing the passage of fluids (liquids and gases)therethrough. A preferred embodiment of a strainer 20 is shown in FIGS.3 a, 3 b and 3 c. The strainer 20 comprises a perforated circular disc22 and an annular peripheral wall 24, which can be of a unitaryconstruction (ie. the disc 22 and the wall 24 can be made of onematerial). In the illustrated embodiment the circular disc 22 has aseries of concentric slots 26 arranged thereabout to allow the passageof fluid therethrough. In another preferred form the circular disc canbe made of metal mesh eg. a screen mesh. In the preferred embodiment thestrainer 20 includes a rectangular-shaped projection 28 located at thecentre of the disc 22 to provide a grip point of a shape suitable forlifting and/or rotating the disc 22. FIGS. 4 a and 4 b illustrate aclosure member in the form of a plug 30 which in use is mountable insidethe collar 12 to be seated at the strainer 20. In use when the plug 30is in place, the flow of material through the pipe is blocked. The plug30 comprises a disc 32 having an in use downwardly oriented peripheralcircumferential wall 34 and an upper surface protrusion in the form of ahexagonal-shaped nut 36 or prism to aid the lifting and rotation of theplug 30 during removal and replacement. However the hexagonal nut 36 hasa relatively wide diameter and a relatively low height, for examplehaving a height which is about one tenth of the hexagonal nut diameter.Such an aspect ratio is configured to prevent easy engagement thereof byhand to reduce the incidence of unauthorised tampering unless aspecialised tool such as a socket on the end of a rod is made availablefor this task which gives purchase about the hexagonal nut 36.

An assembly 10 of the collar 12, strainer 20 and plug 30 is shown inFIG. 2. In such a preferred embodiment the assembly 10 is configured sothat in use the collar 12, the strainer 20 and the plug 30 are locatedwholly within the pipe. This is not necessarily the case in otherpreferred embodiments, although when at least some parts of theapparatus are located wholly within the pipe this reduces the ease ofaccess to and presents significant difficulties for an operator seekingto tamper with the assembly by, for example, trying to open the plug 30in order to access the strainer 20.

The assembly of parts shown in FIG. 2 is joined together by releasablymounting the strainer 20 to the collar 12 by a first locking means andthe plug 30 to the strainer 20 by a second locking means. The firstlocking means comprises two projecting tabs 38 located on the innercircumferential face 40 of the collar 12, each tab 38 for receipt in arecess in the form of a T-shaped slot 42 located in an outer peripheralface of the strainer wall 24. In further embodiments it will beappreciated that the projections and grooves may be disposed on theopposite parts to that described above. A second locking means isprovided for releasably mounting the plug 30 to the strainer 12. Thesecond locking means comprises two projecting tabs 46 located on theoutward peripheral face of the plug 30, each tab 46 adapted to cooperatewith a corresponding L-shaped slot 48 in an inner peripheral face 44 ofthe strainer 20. Again the projecting tabs may be on the strainer andthe recess/slot on the plug in an alternate arrangement. The L-shapedslot 48 is arranged with a sloping entryway for guiding a correspondingtab 46 in and out thereof, the entryway typically arranged with a slopeof 15 angle degrees.

The operation of the first and second locking means will now beoutlined. To join the assembly parts together, the collar 12 is affixedor otherwise placed into the pipe and the two tabs 38 located on theinner circumferential wall 40 are each guided into the basal portion ofa respective T-shaped slot 42 of the strainer 20. The strainer 20 isthen rotated so that the tabs 38 are moved into a position to abut theends of the upper slot 50 of the T-bar. The plug 30 is then seated onthe strainer 20 and the projecting tabs 46 are each guided down into thesloping entryway of the L-shaped slots 48 located in the innerperipheral face 44 of the strainer 20 as the plug 30 is rotated.

When the plug 30 is to be removed from the strainer 20 by rotation ofthe plug 30 in the reverse direction, the first and second locking meanscooperate so that if any frictional forces etc inadvertently cause thestrainer 20 to rotate in the same direction as the plug 30, respectivetabs 38 are moved into a position to abut the respective opposing endsof the upper slot 50 of the T-bar, which ultimately restrains anyfurther rotation of the strainer 20 relative to the collar 12 andensures that the strainer 20 is not accidentally removed. Not only doesthis prevent any tampering with the strainer 20, this also avoids theaccidental discharge of solid matter etc.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 to 8, there is shown a pipe filter and closureapparatus generally indicated at 100 (FIG. 8) and including a supportmember in the form of a collar 120, a filter element in the form of astrainer 200, and a closure member in the form of a plug 300. O-ringgaskets to provide a fluid tight seal are also shown 80.

The collar 120 comprises a first collar section 230 and a second collarsection 250, the latter outwardly disposed and fixed generally to thetop of the first collar section 230. A projection 270 is affixed to theinside peripheral wall 290 of the second collar section 250. Thisprojection 270 assists the locking of the strainer 200 in place.Disposed at the inner junction defining a shoulder between the twocollar sections 230, 250 is an O-ring 80, in use which ensures thatmaterial only passes through the perforations 330 of the strainer 200and not between the in use adjacent walls of the collar 120 and strainer200.

The filter element is in the form of a strainer 200 and comprises a discbody 350 with perforations 330, a peripheral wall 370 projectingupwards, and a handle 390 to assist removal and locking. Located in theoutside face of the peripheral wall 370 are L-shaped grooves 410,disposed to receive the projection 270 and thus lock the strainer 200 inposition. Further L-shaped grooves 430 are located in the inner face ofperipheral wall 370, disposed to receive projections 450 on the plug300. Located at the peripheral wall 370 and disc 350 interface is anO-ring 470, for sealing, in conjunction with the plug 300.

The plug 300 comprises a disc 490, peripheral wall 510, central handle530, void 550 and projection 450. The void 550 is located underneath thehandle 530 to accommodate the handle 390 on the strainer 200. Thus, therespective discs 490, 350 of plug 300 and strainer 200 fit snuglyagainst each other when installed. The projection 450 is disposed toslide within the further L-shaped grooves 430 on the peripheral wall 570of strainer 200. This provides locking of the plug 300 in position.

In use the collar 120 is placed in or at the entrance to a pipe. TheL-shaped grooves 410 on the strainer 200 are aligned with theprojections 270 on the inner peripheral face 290 of the collar 120, andthe strainer 200 is placed inside the collar 120, resting on the seal80. The strainer 200 may then be rotated and locked in position.

The plug 300 may be attached, again aligning the projections 450 withthe L-shaped grooves 430 in the peripheral wall 570 of the strainer 200,and rotating and locking the plug 300 in position if desired.

Several other embodiments within the scope of the invention will now bedescribed with reference to the drawings. Where like parts are referredto as shown in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, similar part numbersare used for ease of reference.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a filter and/orclosure assembly is shown in which O-ring type gaskets 52 are positionedbetween the plug 30, strainer 20 and collar 12 parts. These parts arejoined by the tab-in-slot arrangements already described in relation toearlier embodiments. The assembly of this embodiment is shown fitted toa pipe 60 in FIG. 10 and is located wholly within the pipe 60 and at aposition remote from the end of the pipe 60. The pipe 60 is located topass through a concrete slab 62 which has a mortar bed 54 and a tiledfloor 56 thereabove. A commercially available floor waste fitting 58 islocated at the end of the pipe 60 at tiled floor level.

In an alternative arrangement shown in FIG. 11, the strainer is in theform of a slotted catchment basket 64 and the basket 64 extends beyondthe collar 12 and projects into the pipe 60. Such a basket shapeprovides a greater volume for collection of debris which is useful insome situations where a great deal of solid matter may be present at thebuilding, industrial or construction site above.

In FIG. 12 the filter assembly shown includes the previously describedcollar, strainer and plug assembly shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, however inthis embodiment the collar 12 is formed at one end of an annular sleeve66. The sleeve 66 has an orthogonal flange 68 located at the sleeve endnearest the floor surface and away from the strainer and plug end of theassembly. In this embodiment the collar 12 need not be fastened or gluedto the interior of the pipe 60 but can be suspended and retained thereinby the sleeve 66 and flange 68. The spacing of the collar section awayfrom the uppermost end of the pipe serves to allow the insertion of acommercial floor waste fitting 70 which has elongate fastening tabs 72which are arranged to project into the pipe 60. While the strainer 20 islocated wholly within the pipe 60, in this instance the support member(which includes the collar 12, the sleeve 66 and the flange 68) is not.In a further embodiment, it is also envisaged that the collar can beconnected to and located wholly within the pipe whereas the strainer maybe of a shape which is not confined within the pipe. For example, thestrainer may be seated at the collar but may extend upward to the end ofthe pipe and have flanges which protrude out from the pipe end.

In still further embodiments the plug can be mountable to the collar orstrainer (as shown in previous embodiments), or defined as part of thefilter or the support element. For example in FIGS. 18 to 20 thestrainer 74 can also function as a plug 76, obviating the need for aseparate plug. As shown in FIG. 18 the strainer 74 comprises twoadjacent and concentric discs 78, 80, rotatably moveable with respect toeach other about a pivot point 82. In the closed position in whichrespective triangular holes 84 in the first and second discs 78, 80 areout of alignment (FIG. 20), the passage of fluid is prevented. In theopen position (FIG. 19) the holes 84 are aligned to allow the passage offluid therethrough. The strainer discs 78, 80 and the collar 86 to whichthey are mounted in use is wholly located within the pipe.

In an alternative embodiment such a closure can be achieved by relativerotation (or other movement) between the strainer when mounted to asupport element of a different form to the collar previously described.For example, the support element in this case can be a perforated plate.Once again in such an embodiment, the strainer and the perforated plateare relatively moveable between a closed position in which respectiveholes in each do not align to thereby prevent the passage of fluid, andan open position in which the holes are at least partly aligned to allowthe passage of fluid therethrough.

In still further embodiments of the invention there may be no need for astrainer at all. In such cases the closure assembly can comprise acollar adapted for connection to and location wholly within the pipe anda plug mountable thereto. Because the collar is adapted for connectionto the interior of the pipe, its position is variable, and can beadjusted upon installation to make tampering with the associated plugdifficult.

Turning to FIGS. 13-16, in each embodiment the plug 88, 98 has anuppermost recess or recesses for aiding the removal and/or the rotationof the plug 88, 98. In FIGS. 13 and 14 a removeable protective cap 90conceals a recess 92 fitted with protruding lugs 94 which are engageablewith a specialist tool operated by a user. As an example, in FIG. 17 atool 116 is shown having recesses 114 for engagement in use with thelugs 94 located in the recess 92 of the plug 98 to enable turning of theplug 98. In FIGS. 15 and 16 there are two spaced apart recesses 96 inthe uppermost surface of the plug 98 into which a tool with dual armscan be inserted to provide a torsional force to rotate the plug 98. Sucharrangements ensure that unauthorised removal of the closure member fromthe closure assembly by an operator is unlikely unless a specialisedtool is made available for this task which locates into these recesses96.

FIGS. 13-16 also show a support member in the form of a collar 102, 104which has various angled and curved innermost faces 110, 112 forabutting and supporting an inserted strainer 106, 108 from falling intoa pipe to which the assembly is fitted.

Finally, it is to be understood that the inventive concept in any of itsaspects can be incorporated in many different constructions so that thegenerality of the preceding description is not to be superseded by theparticularity of the attached drawings. Various alterations,modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the variousconstructions and arrangements of parts without departing from thespirit or ambit of the invention.

1-39. (canceled)
 40. A filter and/or closure assembly for use with apipe, the assembly comprising: a support member which is adapted in usefor connection to and location wholly within the pipe; a filter elementreleasably mountable to the support member so as to inhibit the passageof solid material through the pipe; and a closure member mountable tothe support member or the filter element for blocking the pipe.
 41. Afilter and/or closure assembly as claimed in claim 40 wherein thesupport member is adapted for connection around its periphery to thepipe interior, to be located remote from an end of the pipe.
 42. Afilter and/or closure assembly as claimed in claim 41 wherein thesupport member is a collar.
 43. A filter and/or closure assembly asclaimed in claim 40 wherein the support member comprises first andsecond collar sections of different diameter and which are disposed inend-to-end adjoinment with one another.
 44. A filter and/or closureassembly as claimed in claim 43 wherein a support shoulder is formed atan inner wall of the adjoining collar sections, in use to support thefilter element.
 45. A filter and/or closure assembly as claimed in claim40 wherein the filter element comprises a perforated member and anannular peripheral wall.
 46. A filter and/or closure assembly as claimedin claim 45 wherein the perforated member is at least one of a mesh discor a basket.
 47. A filter and/or closure assembly as claimed in claim 46wherein the filter element includes a projection at the centre of thedisc, of a shape suitable for lifting and/or rotating the disc.
 48. Afilter and/or closure assembly as claimed in claim 46 wherein the basketextends beyond the support member and projects into the pipe.
 49. Afilter and/or closure assembly as claimed in claim 40 wherein theclosure member is in the form of a plug which comprises a disc with aprotrusion to aid the lifting and rotating of the disc and a peripheralwall depending from the disc.
 50. A filter and/or closure assembly asclaimed in claim 49 wherein the protrusion is configured so as toprevent engagement thereof by hand for removal and/or rotation of theclosure member.
 51. A filter and/or closure assembly as claimed in claim40 wherein sealing means are located at the periphery of the filterelement and/or at the periphery of the closure member.
 52. A filterand/or closure assembly as claimed in claim 51 wherein the sealing meansare an O-ring seal, or the like.
 53. A filter and/or closure assembly asclaimed in claim 40 wherein a first locking means is provided forreleasably mounting the filter element to the support member.
 54. Afilter and/or closure assembly as claimed in claim 53 wherein the firstlocking means comprises one or more projections on an inner surface ofthe support member, each projection adapted to cooperate with acorresponding recess in an outer peripheral face of the filter element.55. A filter and/or closure assembly as claimed in claim 54 wherein thecorresponding recess is a T-shaped slot.
 56. A filter and/or closureassembly as claimed in claim 40 wherein a second locking means isprovided for releasably mounting the closure member to the filterelement.
 57. A filter and/or closure assembly as claimed in claim 56wherein the second locking means comprises on the closure member one ormore projections on an outward peripheral face, each projection adaptedto cooperate with a corresponding recess in an inner peripheral face ofthe filter element.
 58. A filter and/or closure assembly as claimed inclaim 57 wherein the corresponding recess is an L-shaped slot.
 59. Afilter and/or closure assembly for use with a pipe, the assemblycomprising: a support member which in use is operatively connectible tothe pipe; a filter element releasably mountable to the support member soas to inhibit the passage of solid material through the pipe; and aremovable closure member mountable to the support member or the filterelement for blocking the pipe, wherein the assembly is configured suchthat in use the filter element and the closure member are located whollywithin the pipe.
 60. A filter and/or closure assembly as claimed inclaim 59 wherein the support member is adapted for connection around itsperiphery to the pipe interior, to be located remote from an end of thepipe.
 61. A filter and/or closure assembly as claimed in claim 60wherein the support member is a collar.
 62. A filter and/or closureassembly as claimed in claim 59 wherein the filter element comprises aperforated member and an annular peripheral wall.
 63. A filter and/orclosure assembly as claimed in claim 62 wherein the perforated member isat least one of a mesh disc or a basket.
 64. A filter and/or closureassembly as claimed in claim 63 wherein the filter element includes aprojection at the centre of the disc, of a shape suitable for liftingand/or rotating the disc.
 65. A filter and/or closure assembly asclaimed in claim 59 wherein the closure member is in the form of a plugwhich comprises a disc with a protrusion to aid the lifting and rotatingof the disc and a peripheral wall depending from the disc.
 66. A filterand/or closure assembly as claimed in claim 65 wherein the protrusion isconfigured so as to prevent engagement thereof by hand for removaland/or rotation of the closure member.
 67. A filter and/or closureassembly as claimed in claim 59 wherein sealing means are located at theperiphery of the filter element and/or at the periphery of the closuremember.
 68. A filter and/or closure assembly as claimed in claim 59wherein a first locking means is provided for releasably mounting thefilter element to the support member.
 69. A filter and/or closureassembly as claimed in claim 68 wherein the first locking meanscomprises one or more projections on an inner surface of the supportmember, each projection adapted to cooperate with a corresponding recessin an outer peripheral face of the filter element.
 70. A filter and/orclosure assembly as claimed in claim 59 wherein the corresponding recessis a T-shaped slot.
 71. A filter and/or closure assembly as claimed inclaim 50 wherein a second locking means is provided for releasablymounting the closure member to the filter element.
 72. A filter and/orclosure assembly as claimed in claim 71 wherein the second locking meanscomprises on the closure member one or more projections on an outwardperipheral face, each projection adapted to cooperate with acorresponding recess in an inner peripheral face of the filter element.73. A filter and/or closure assembly as claimed in claim 72 wherein thecorresponding recess is an L-shaped slot.
 74. A filter and/or closureassembly for use with a pipe, the assembly comprising: a support memberwhich is adapted in use for connection to and location in the pipe; afilter element releasably mountable to the support member so as toinhibit the passage of solid material through the pipe; and a closuremember adapted for blocking the pipe; wherein the closure member isdefined by a first part of the filter element and is moveable withrespect to a second part of the filter element between a closed positionin which respective holes in the first and second parts do not align tothereby prevent the passage of fluid, and an open position in which theholes are at least partly aligned to allow the passage of fluidtherethrough.
 75. A filter and/or closure assembly as claimed in claim74 wherein the support member is located wholly within the pipe in use.76. A filter and/or closure assembly as claimed in claim 75 wherein thefilter element is also located wholly within the pipe in use.
 77. Afilter and/or closure assembly for use with a pipe, the assemblycomprising: a support member which is adapted in use for connection toand location in the pipe; a filter element releasably mountable to thesupport member so as to inhibit the passage of solid material throughthe pipe; and a closure member adapted for blocking the pipe; whereinthe closure member is defined by the filter element when mounted to thesupport member, the filter element and support member being relativelymoveable between a closed position in which respective holes in thesupport member and the filter element do not align to thereby preventthe passage of fluid, and an open position in which the holes are atleast partly aligned to allow the passage of fluid therethrough.
 78. Afilter and/or closure assembly as claimed in claim 77 wherein thesupport member is located wholly within the pipe in use.
 79. A filterand/or closure assembly as claimed in claim 78 wherein the filterelement is also located wholly within the pipe in use.
 80. A closureassembly for use with a pipe, the assembly comprising: a support memberwhich is adapted in use for connection to and location wholly within thepipe; a closure member mountable to the support member for blocking thepipe.
 81. A closure assembly as claimed in claim 80 further comprising afilter element releasably mountable to the support member so as toinhibit the passage of solid material through the pipe.
 82. A closureassembly for use with a pipe, the assembly comprising: a support memberwhich in use is operatively connectible to the pipe; and a closuremember mountable to the support member for blocking the pipe; whereinthe assembly is configured such that in use the support member and theclosure member are located wholly within the pipe.
 83. A closureassembly as claimed in claim 82 further comprising a filter elementreleasably mountable to the support member so as to inhibit the passageof solid material through the pipe.
 84. A closure member for use with aclosure assembly for a pipe, the closure member comprising a body, and aprotrusion from the body or a recess in the body for aiding removaland/or rotation of the body, the protrusion or recess being configuredso as to prevent engagement thereof by hand for removal and/or rotationof the body.
 85. A closure member as claimed in claim 84 wherein aspecialised tool is required for respective purchase about theprotrusion or insertion within the recess, in order to effect removaland/or rotation of the body.
 86. A closure assembly as claimed in claim84 wherein the assembly is as otherwise defined in claim
 40. 87. Aclosure locking arrangement for use with a closure assembly for a pipe,the locking arrangement comprising first and second locking means whichcooperate so that as a closure member is rotated to disengage the firstlocking means and release the closure member from a filter element, thesecond locking means is caused to engage to prevent removal of thefilter element from a support member.
 88. A closure assembly as claimedin claim 87 wherein the assembly is as otherwise defined in claim 40.89. An assembly for preventing the ingress of unwanted refuse into apipe during a construction application in or at an area containing thepipe, the assembly comprising: a support member which is adapted in usefor connection to and location in the pipe; and a closure membermountable to the support member or the filter element for blocking thepipe, wherein, during the construction application in or at the area,the closure member is arranged to prevent the ingress of the unwantedrefuse into the pipe, and wherein, after the construction application iscomplete, the closure member is completely removed from the assembly toopen the pipe to fluid flow therethrough via the assembly.
 90. Anassembly as claimed in claim 89 wherein the assembly additionallycomprises a filter element releasably mountable to the support member soas to inhibit the passage of solid material through the pipe.